^{Photo: The New York Times}

Embracing Solitude on Her Own Terms

Tracee Ellis Ross, celebrated actress and co-CEO of the haircare brand Pattern, launched a new show capturing her solo travels around the world. At 52, Ross challenges societal expectations of women in their 50s—especially those who are unpartnered and child-free—by fully embracing solitude and self-exploration.

Her series, Solo Traveling with Tracee Ellis Ross, available on the Roku Channel, takes viewers along as she journeys solo through Morocco, Mexico, and Spain. Through vibrant local experiences like sampling rare olive oils, supporting women-led businesses, and learning cocktail-making, Ross dives deep into what it means to inhabit one’s own skin and live authentically.

“I want to be the poster child for being and inhabiting your own skin,” Ross declares in the first episode, rejecting the label of “poster child for singledom” and instead celebrating personal freedom and presence.

The Complex Emotions of Traveling Alone

Ross openly shares the spectrum of emotions she encounters—joy, loneliness, grief, and delight—revealing how solo travel is not just an adventure but an intimate journey inward. She describes how not having a long-term relationship or children has given her the space to explore her humanity, culminating in a rich, if sometimes challenging, life experience.

“I feel available to all of it,” Ross says, highlighting how solo travel pushes her to engage fully with life, without waiting on external validation or company.

Expert Insights: The Realities of Solo Travel

Millie Huckabee, licensed clinical professional counselor and founder of Sage Therapy, echoes Ross’s sentiments, describing solo travel as a “mixed bag” of emotions due to stepping into unfamiliar environments. Drawing from her own two-week solo trip to Malawi, Huckabee explains how travel alone opens doors to personal growth but also exposes travelers to feelings of loneliness and vulnerability.

Benefits of solo travel include:

• Breaking out of comfort zones
• Meeting new people and forming unexpected connections
• Experiencing awe and empowerment through novel situations
• Gaining deeper personal insights

Challenges may involve:

• Facing difficult emotions without distractions
• Feeling isolated when surrounded by couples or groups
• Navigating unfamiliar logistics alone

Huckabee advises travelers to maintain a balance of optimism and preparedness—having safety measures in place such as knowledge of local healthcare and language translation tools, while also cultivating coping strategies like journaling or staying connected with supportive friends.

The Transformative Power of Solo Travel

“Opening your mind and challenging your worldview can be incredibly rewarding, yet it can also be tough,” Huckabee notes. The journey teaches resilience, self-awareness, and the value of human connection in unexpected places. Ross’s journey exemplifies this transformation, offering a powerful narrative that resonates far beyond travel enthusiasts.